End-of-life care is an approach in healthcare that offers comfort, support, and dignity to individuals with terminal diseases. This type of care can take place in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, or even within a patient’s own home. It focuses on the specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every individual as they approach the last stages of their life.
Understanding End of Life Care
The purpose of end-of-life care is not only about pain and symptom control, although this aspect is very important. It covers a wider range of assistance, from emotional to psychological, as well as spiritual care, which often becomes important in the last stages. It also involves the support of families and caregivers and assists them in dealing with challenges and grief. End-of-life care aims to provide the highest possible quality of life for patients by including services, such as:
- Pain and Symptom Management: Managing pain and symptoms like nausea, breathlessness, ...
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Providing support for patients and their families to deal with different emotions such as fear, anxiety, or depression.
- Spiritual Care: If it provides comfort to patients and families.
- Practical Help: Helping with day-to-day chores and also helping with legal and financial matters, such as wills.
- Bereavement Support: Providing continuous support to families in case of death.
- Specific Therapy: If needed, end-of-life care can also involve specialized therapists based on the needs of the patient (physical, occupational, speech, respiratory …)
Who Offers End-of-Life Care?
End-of-life care is usually offered by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. This team may be doctors, nurses, or hospice staff, as well as social workers, counselors, and chaplains. They work together to form a care plan that best suits the patient’s wishes and needs.
End-of-life care is mainly about making the patients feel comfortable. This care is delivered by various experts, who ensure it is tailored to each individual’s needs so that the patients and their loved ones can focus on the important things.
Credits:
Providing Care and Comfort at the End of Life
NHS: End-Of-Life Care
My Aged Care: End-Of-Life Care
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